Atmospheric research infrastructure ACTRIS to European
updated research infrastructure roadmap

Today European Strategy Forum for Research Infrastructures
(ESFRI) has officially adopted ACTRIS (Aerosols, Clouds, and Trace
gases Research Infrastructure) on its updated research
infrastructure roadmap. Among the other 5 new infrastructures on
ESFRI roadmap, ACTRIS is considered highly important for the
European science community and it is mature for implementation.
ESFRI led evaluation panels and working groups assessed in 2015 the
candidate projects by their scientific excellence, pan-European
relevance, socio-economic impact and the level of maturity. Special
emphases were put to the member countries financial commitments to
construct and operate the selected research infrastructures.

ACTRIS aims to secure the long-term observations and exploration
of aerosols, clouds and short-lived trace gases at European level,
and provide tools to tackle socio-economic challenges the society
is facing today and in the future, including air quality and
climate change. ACTRIS will enable enhanced science by providing
access to high-quality facilities, but it will also generate and
disseminate knowledge, boost technological development, and create
jobs for the benefit of the society. In the medium to long-term the
research facilitated by ACTRIS will also positively impact on e.g.
human health, climate resilience, protection from environmental
hazards, and visibility. In this respect, the role of ACTRIS in
supporting policymakers is crucial. ACTRIS opens scientific data
for wider use, and is in line with the European Commission
priorities of Digital Single Market and Open Science. Besides data
and science, the operations of ACTRIS will create both technical
and expert jobs in all member countries.

ACTRIS consists of an extensive network of national top-level
atmospheric research facilities, and central facilities – Head
Office, Data Centre and five Calibration Centres – to coordinate
and integrate the operations of the infrastructure. When
operational, ACTRIS will provide access to atmospheric data,
research possibilities, instrument calibration and development, and
education to a vast community of users; scientists, policymakers
and the public and private sector.

The ESFRI roadmap proposal was led by Finnish delegation in
spring 2015 with 21 participating countries. The value of ACTRIS at
operational stage is estimated to be 450 million € with an annual
turnover of up to 50 million €. Many countries have already
expressed their political support and financial commitment to
European ACTRIS, and 85 research performing organizations have
committed their resources for the implementation of ACTRIS. With
the ESFRI status, ACTRIS will initiate the implementation of the
pan-European ACTRIS operations and establishment of the
organizational framework to provide services for the users. ACTRIS
is expected to become fully operational in early 2020’s.